Ankus [elephant goad] late 19th – early 20th century steel, brass National Gallery of Australia more detail

What is an ankus used for and who uses it?
Elephants are very intelligent animals that can be trained to do many
tasks. In some countries they are used to lift and pull heavy objects
like logs, or to transport people.

Indian armies used elephants as part
of their cavalry. In India elephants were also used to carry royalty,
including princes and maharajas, who rode high on their backs. The king
was the only person allowed to breed elephants in captivity, and when
hunting he would avoid killing them. The elephant trainer, called a mahout,
often used an ankus (a goad or a prod) to guide, caress, and occasionally
discipline an elephant. Today, elephants are trained using food rewards
rather than discipline.

Ankus
An ankus looks similar to a poker that would be used in a fireplace. It
has a pointed tip with a curved piece of metal extending a few inches
outward, ending in another point. The handle may be made of wood, fibreglass,
or occasionally metal. This ankus is over 100 years old and has been made
from steel and brass. When polished, the brass gleams like gold making
it look precious and fit for use in ceremonies. On such occasions the
elephants are covered with brightly coloured rugs, bells are placed around
their feet and charms of good fortune are painted down their trunks.

Activities

Look closely at the ankus, how many animals are used in its decoration?

Why would the artist decorate the ankus in this way?

Collect objects from nature and make your own ankus.

In what countries are elephants found and in what ways are the elephants
different?